2023 Chevrolet Malibu problems, complaints & recalls
Far fewerRising
NHTSA has received 71 owner complaints about the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu, or 18.7 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical (complaint index 0.46, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 92 model-year 2023 vehicles we track, it ranks #45 of 92 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Chevrolet models its rate is 59% lower; against other Midsize sedans it is 51% lower.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2023-05-10 and 2026-10-13. Median delay from incident to filing: 22 days.
71Complaints
18.7Complaints per year on the road
0.46Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
2Recalls
7.0%Share involving a crash or fire
52Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2022) drew 20.5 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2024) drew 15.4 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2023 model collected 12 complaints, 86% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Electrical (35.2% of complaints), followed by Engine (23.9%) and Unspecified or other (11.3%). Electrical complaints are 2.2 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 5 reports (7.0%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 4 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 38 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was years three to five (66% of incidents). In the last 12 months 52 new complaints were filed, versus 7 in the 12 months before — up 643%.
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for this model year.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.46
vs. other Chevrolet models0.41
vs. other 2023 models0.44
vs. other Midsize sedans0.49
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (12)0.14
I own a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu with an open safety recall. General Motors/dealership has refused to repair the recall.
Steering · 2026-09-25 · ODI 11767019 · Crash
MY 2023 CHEVY MALIBU HAS A MISSING TURBOCHARGER SCREW THAT RANDOMLY CAME OFF FROM UNDER A METAL PLATE ON ITS OWN, GMC HAS A RECALL ON 2022 -2023 CHEY MALIBU WITH TURBO CHARGER ISSUES BUT THEY WONT COVER MINES BECAUSE IT DIDNT COME FROM A CERTIAN FACTORY…
Engine · 2026-02-11 · ODI 11717268
I am reporting a potential safety concern involving the brake vacuum pump in Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. I have seen multiple reports from owners describing vacuum pump failures, brakes becoming difficult to press, and brakes reportedly stopping working.
Engine · 2026-10-13 · ODI 11770998
I was inquiring about the front suspension and frame work is there a recall. My car is unstable in the front like frame is unbalanced
Driver-assist systems · 2026-09-16 · ODI 11764737
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the hard skin material on the steering wheel was crumbling. The contact stated that the right and left hands were severely peeled.
Steering · 2026-08-31 · ODI 11760932
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA Campaign 26V212000 · 2026-04-02
Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.
Risk: A rearview image that does not display correctly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2026. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N262551720. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 2, 2026.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS Campaign 22V923000 · 2022-12-14
Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The front impact bar, a structural portion of the vehicle frame, may not be properly welded to the front frame rail.
Risk: An improperly welded front impact bar may result in the front crash sensors not performing correctly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the right-hand and left-hand side of the vehicle's motor rail for an incomplete weld. If the condition is found, the vehicle will be repurchased by GM. Owner notification letters were mailed January 20, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
